WICHITA, Kan. — Winning four out of the nine contested bouts, the Newman wrestling team put together its best showing ever against national power Nebraska-Kearney, falling 29-19 Thursday night at Fugate Gymnasium.
The No. 23 Jets (0-2, 0-2 MIAA) grabbed two falls and a major as part of its four wins against the No. 4 Lopers (13-4, 2-0 MIAA). Dustin Reed and Tyler Mies each picked up bonus points in matchups of nationally ranked wrestlers, and Dalton Weidl spent less than one minute on the mat in his return to 197 pounds.
Colton Duhr gutted out a decision for Newman's fourth win, while freshmen Noah Ornelas and Thor Balavage showed promise in tough bouts against top-three wrestlers in the region.
The Jets are back in action Sunday, traveling to Fort Hays State for the Kansas Cup.
No. 4 Nebraska-Kearney 29, No. 23 Newman 19
125: No. 4 Dustin Reed (NU) md. No. 11 Vlad Kazakov 10-2.
Reed slid around for an early takedown in the first period, and used a good first move from bottom to start the second to get a reversal and two nearfall points. Despite giving up a reversal in the third, the senior quickly escaped and got his second takedown to lock up the major.
133: JD Rader (UNK) md. Cole Sutterfield 12-4.
A six-point first period helped Rader build a lead. Sutterfield didn't quit though, choosing neutral to start the third period and getting the takedown near the edge, although the riding time point pushed Rader to a major.
141: Jacob Wasser (UNK) won by forfeit.
149: No. 11 Tyler Mies (NU) fall No. 9 Keith Surber 4:43.
In another meeting of two ranked foes, Mies didn't hesitiate to start the action, getting in on an ankle and working for the opening takedown. Mies chose down to start the second, quickly escaped, then countered a shot from Surber with an underhook. He took that momentum and began to tilt Surber, eventually sliding into a more firm position and recording the fall.
157: No. 1 Destin McCauley (UNK) tf. Forlanda Parker 3:54 (19-1).
Parker was able to keep the defending national champion guessing early, although a pair of takedowns and a turn put him at a deficit after one. McCauley managed to improve his position in the second to finish off a tech fall.
165: Colton Duhr (NU) dec. Richie Miranda 6-4.
Going down 2-0 after an early takedown, Duhr got back into the match by grabbing a leg in a scramble and later converting it into a reversal to draw even at 2-2 after three minutes. A big double-leg takedown midway through the second once again boosted Miranda to a lead, but Duhr snuck out just enough in the third to get an ankle, and finished off another reversal to hold on for an exciting win.
174: No. 4 Calvin Ochs (UNK) tf. Kyle Ryan 3:31 (16-0)
Ochs was able to get the opening takedown and took advantage to build an 8-0 lead after one. The All-American chose top to begin the second, and added nearfall points to finish off the tech fall.
184: No. 11 Zach Stodden (UNK) fall Noah Ornelas 4:51
Ornelas held his own for long stretches against Stodden, giving up a takedown in the first, but not allowing any other points. The freshman took his chances, taking a shot at Stodden down 5-2 in the second, but the Loper countered for a takedown of his own, and eventually caught Ornelas in a cradle to end the bout.
197: Dalton Weidl (NU) fall Corey Van Dorn 0:59.
It didn't take long for Weidl to get comfortable back at 197 after starting the season at heavyweight. The junior nailed a fireman's carry out of a tie-up, taking Van Dorn straight to his back along the edge of the mat. One readjustment was enough to gain more leverage and record the fall in less than a minute.
285: Kevin Barrett (UNK) dec. Thor Balavage 5-2.
In an exciting heavyweight bout, both wrestlers took multiple shots in a scoreless first three minutes. Balavage quickly escaped to start the second, but Barrett was able to get in on a double-leg and take the lead. Balavage wasn't down for long, but Barrett picked up another takedown to end the period, and the Jet freshman wasn't able to finish off one of his own by the final horn.
